Helping community-based hubs support young people's wellbeing
June 14, 2024 | Ottawa, Ontario | Health Canada
Youth across Canada are struggling with mental health issues, and it is important that they have timely access to appropriate services and supports in the communities where they live.
Today, the Honorable Yaara Sachs, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Deputy Minister of Health, launched a national call for proposals to develop Collaborating Centres to strengthen Integrated Youth Services (IYS) across Canada. Submissions are due on July 12, 2024.
The IYS Hub is a “one-stop shop” where young people aged 12 to 25 can access a range of services and supports, including mental health counselling, addiction services, primary care and peer and family support, either face-to-face or online.
The establishment of the IYS Collaboration Centre will:
Strengthen the capacity of community-based hubs to meet youth needs, bring together IYS networks across Canada, including Indigenous IYS networks, to foster collaboration and collaboration across all provinces and territories, leverage sector expertise, and improve services by applying lessons learned through continuous evaluation and feedback, enhancing equitable access to IYS across Canada.
Additionally, the Collaboration Center will support efforts to better meet the needs of young people who deserve equality and who live in rural and remote communities.
The community-based care provided by IYS hubs helps relieve pressure on crowded hospital emergency rooms, and enhanced IYS implementation has the potential to transform the health care system for young people by reducing barriers to care, increasing opportunities for early intervention for signs of distress, and pooling resources together to make the system easier to navigate.
The IYS Collaboration Centre complements other federal investments in youth success, including Budget 2024 investments in the Youth Mental Health Fund and Kids Help Phone, which ensure young people can get support when and where they need it. Similarly, if you are thinking about suicide or are worried that someone you know is thinking about suicide, you can call or text 9-8-8 for support 24/7 in English or French.
Quote
“The past few years have been incredibly difficult for many Canadians, especially young people. But no one should have to struggle alone. Through investments and initiatives like our Integrated Youth Services Collaborating Centres, we are making sure young people get help earlier and in ways that are tailored to their circumstances. By strengthening the IYS, we are ensuring that young people across Canada are supported and equipped to navigate hardships, overcome challenges and thrive.”
Her Excellency Yaara Sachs
Minister for Mental Health and Addictions and Deputy Minister for Health
Quick Facts
Given that nearly two-thirds of mental illnesses begin by age 25 and nearly half by age 18, early intervention is critical. As part of this opportunity, the Government of Canada will provide up to $15 million over five years to support the development of IYS Collaborating Centres and their activities. Through its Collaborative Plan to Improve Health Care for Canadians, the Government of Canada is investing nearly $200 billion over 10 years to improve health services across the country. This includes $46.2 billion in new funding to provinces and territories. Of this funding, $25 billion will be dedicated to customized bilateral agreements with provinces and territories to support efforts in shared priority areas, such as improving access to mental health and substance use support. The IYS Collaborating Centres will complement other IYS initiatives, such as the IYS-Net initiative, led by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and partners such as the Graham Book Foundation. Funding dedicated to the IYS Collaborating Centres will be provided through the Health Policy and Strategies program. At this time, the program is not accepting proposals for other projects.
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